Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriohytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DNA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources. For example, near-infrared light-activated proteins possessing nucleotidyl cyclase, protein kinase, protease, DNA-binding and RNA-binding activities are useful to control signal transduction, cell apoptosis, proliferation, adhesion, differentiation and other cell processes.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for improved production of steviol glycosides in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a Pisum sativum kaurene oxidase or its variant kaurene oxidase. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding further enzymes of a pathway capable of producing steviol glycosides in the host cell. The compositions and methods described herein provide an efficient route for the heterologous production of steviol glycosides, including but not limited to, rebaudioside D and rebaudioside M.

A gene editing system of Candida viswanathii includes a Candida viswanathii, a first gene editing fragment and a second gene editing fragment. The first gene editing fragment successively includes a first homology arm and a screening gene. The second gene editing fragment is connected to a C-terminus of the first gene editing fragment and includes a second homology arm, a Cas9 expression cassette and a sgRNA cassette. The Cas9 expression cassette successively includes a Cas9 promoter, a Cas9 gene and three nuclear localization sequences. The sgRNA cassette successively includes a sgRNA promoter, a first ribozyme, a targeting sequence, a scaffold and a second ribozyme. The first gene editing fragment and the second gene editing fragment are constructed as a linear fragment for gene editing of a chromosome of the Candida viswanathii.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods related to tobacco plants. In particular, the present disclosure provides novel methods for producing tobacco plants, and any related tobacco products, having low nicotinic alkaloid content. Tobacco plants produced according to the methods of the present disclosure exhibit reduced levels of nicotinic alkaloids (e.g., nicotine) compared to both naturally-occurring and transgenic tobacco plants, and thus represent a commercially valuable alternative to currently available tobacco varieties.

A genetically engineered microorganism is provided. The genetically engineered microorganism has a higher expression level of acid-tolerant gene than a source microorganism. The acid-tolerant gene includes at least one of dsdA, dcuC and glaA. A method of preparing the genetically engineered microorganism and a method of producing a target chemical using the genetically engineered microorganism are also provided.

The disclosure relates to a method of making at least one serrulatane comprising contacting a terpene or a terpenoid substrate with at least one of a cis-prenyl transferase, a terpene synthase, and a cytochrome P45Q. The disclosure also relates to an expression system comprising one or more expression cassettes, each expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding at least one of: a cis-prenyl transferase, a terpene synthase, and a cytochrome P450. The disclosure also relates to a host cell comprising an expression system comprising one or more expression cassettes, each expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding at least one of: a cis-prenyl transferase, a terpene synthase, and a cytochrome P450.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for improved production of steviol glycosides in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a Stevia rebaudiana kaurenoic acid hydroxylase. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding further enzymes of a pathway capable of producing one or more steviol glycosides in the host cell. The compositions and methods described herein provide an efficient route for the heterologous production of steviol glycosides, including but not limited to, rebaudioside D and rebaudioside M.

Provided are a baicalein- and scutellarein-synthesizing microorganism, a preparation method for same, and applications thereof. By modifying a heterologous metabolic pathway of a host cell per a genetic engineering method, acquired is an engineered strain providing a high yield of baicalein and scutellarein. Also provided is a process for utilizing the engineered strain to produce baicalein and scutellarein.

Transgenic plants with blue flower color, or their inbred or outbred progeny, or their propagules, partial plant bodies, tissues or cells, are provided. A buckwheat-derived C-glucosyltransferase (CGT) gene or its homolog is transferred into a host plant to cause delphinidin-type anthocyanins and flavone mono-C-glycosides to be copresent in the plant cells.

The invention disclosed herein relates generally to the field of recombinant production of a steviol glycoside, to the field of bioconversion of steviol into a steviol glycoside and to the field of bioconversion of a steviol glycoside into a further steviol glycoside. Particularly, the invention provides a process for recombinant production of a steviol glycoside, a process of bioconversion of steviol into a steviol glycoside, a process for bioconversion of a steviol glycoside into a further steviol glycoside and a composition comprising a steviol glycoside. More particularly, the invention relates to a microorganism that has a deficiency of a serine/threonine protein kinase and comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having uridine diphosphate-dependent glucosyltransferase (UGT) activity.